Student documentary official trailer: “What’s Behind the Trees?”

Senior Media Arts+Design student Doltyn Snedden presents What’s Behind the Trees? He takes his camera to Costa Rica for a documentary that combines the stories of an orphaned 3-toed sloth, a Westminster student, and an organization battling deforestation and the jungle.

This project was designed with a purpose. As we travel to Costa Rica to help save the rainforest, the message is clear. WE as humans and inhabitants of Earth need to be proactive instead of reactive. This documentary will show the importance of the rainforests in at least one way that every single person that watches it can relate. Whether it’s the rehabilitation of a paralyzed sloth due to the effects of deforestation, or the bone chilling images of a used-to-be forest that now is home to dust and infamous history, something in this documentary should spark your interest to want to make a change and protect this planet, one tree at a time. — Doltyn Snedden

Spearheaded by a Broadcasting and Media Production course, a group of Westminster College students researched, planned and pitched documentaries and produced preview trailers.

Upon production, a panel of judges voted and approved each of them to move forward with production into next semester. Five students will take their proposed documentary and expand their story to create a short digital film, capturing the full scope of each story.

Funding has been provided through the Drinko Center for Experiential Learning and through independent fundraising.

Completed films, including What Lies Behind the Trees, will be available for viewing on December 3 at the 2016 Westminster Documentary Showcase.